Man, Girlfriend Held in Sexual Abuse of Child
From Times Staff and Wire Reports
A man and the mother of a 7-month-old girl he allegedly molested were arrested after doctors said the child had been sexually assaulted for months.
Joshua Aaron Harper, 19, and Shannon Bates, 29, were arrested after Bates called police to report the abuse, Merced County sheriff’s deputies said.
Harper, Bates’ boyfriend, faces charges of sexual assault and of beating and threatening the mother. Bates was arrested on suspicion of child endangerment, deputies said.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
